Lexi Webster
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The country's landscape is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps have influenced the country's history, culture, and demographics, as they have made many areas uninhabitable and isolated, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neighbouring countries | 8 |
| Neighbouring countries | Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy |
| Border length with Switzerland | 112 miles (158km) or 98 miles (157km) |
| Border length with Liechtenstein | 34km or 21 miles |
| Border length with Germany | 497 miles (801km) |
| Border length with the Czech Republic | 249 miles (402km) |
| Border length with Slovakia | 65 miles (105km) |
| Border length with Hungary | 205 miles (331km) |
| Border length with Slovenia | 185 miles (330km) |
| Border length with Italy | 251 miles (404km) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Austria borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by several countries, including Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Switzerland and Liechtenstein are among Austria's neighbouring countries that do not belong to the EU. Switzerland's relations with the EU are governed by a comprehensive set of agreements, while Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Austria's geographic position has contributed significantly to its prominence. It lies at the crossroads of central Europe, connecting east and west through the Danubian trade route and north and south through the Alpine passes. This strategic location embeds Austria within diverse political and economic systems. The country's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming its physical backbone.
The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg showcase the majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery of the high Alps. This high Alpine landscape also extends westward into the state of Kärnten (Carinthia) and the Salzkammergut region, known for its glacial mountain lakes. The largest lake in this region, Lake Constance (Bodensee), straddles the western border of Austria.
Austria's relations with its neighbouring countries are a regional priority in its foreign policy. The country pays close attention to maintaining constructive ties with its neighbours, including Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Factors such as historical links, shared borders, geographical similarities, intense economic interrelations, and cultural exchanges play a crucial role in shaping these relationships.
The Assassination That Started a War: Serbia vs Austria-Hungary
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Germany and the Czech Republic are to the north of Austria
Germany and the Czech Republic are two of Austria's neighbouring countries to the north. Germany shares an 801-kilometre-long border with Austria, while the Czech Republic shares a 402-kilometre-long border.
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with a population of over 8.8 million. The country is bordered by eight nations in total, including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. These neighbouring countries contribute to Austria's cultural diversity.
Germany borders Austria to the northwest, while the Czech Republic is to the north. The landscape of Austria is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps make many areas of Austria uninhabitable, and the country is one of the least densely populated states in Western and Central Europe. The highest elevation in the Austrian Alps is the Grossglockner, which rises to 12,460 feet.
The Alps have historically acted as a barrier, separating groups of people living in the valleys and networks of valleys, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures. However, with advancements in mass media, mobility, prosperity, and tourism, the distinctness of these subcultures has been eroded to some extent. Despite the Alps, Austria has long been a land of transit, particularly due to its central location and the Danube valley, which has served as an important route connecting Central Europe with the Balkan Peninsula and the "Orient."
Curfew Rules in Austria: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
To the east of Austria is Hungary
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by several countries, one of which is Hungary, which lies to its east.
Austria and Hungary have a long shared history. From 1867 to 1918, the two countries were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Habsburg Monarchy or the Dual Monarchy. This was a constitutional monarchy consisting of two sovereign states with a single monarch, who was both Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The two countries had separate parliaments, each with its own prime minister, but they conducted unified diplomatic and defence policies.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was the last phase in the constitutional evolution of the Habsburg Monarchy, which had existed since 1804 when Francis II, the last of the Holy Roman Emperors, proclaimed himself Emperor of Austria. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed following the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which resulted in the expulsion of Austria from the German Confederation. This led Emperor Franz Joseph to reorient his policy towards the east and consolidate his empire. The Ausgleich, passed as a constitutional law by the Hungarian parliament in 1867, established the equality of the Austrian and Hungarian states within the empire.
After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Austria and Hungary became independent nations. In 1921, Hungary ceded its westernmost part, Deutsch-Westungarn, to Austria, as these districts had been inhabited by Germans for centuries. This area became the Austrian state of Burgenland, and Hungarian is still used as an official language in some communities there. Austria and Hungary established diplomatic relations in 1921, and today they are both members of the European Union. They share a 366-kilometre border, which can be crossed anywhere without control due to the Schengen Agreement.
Living Costs in Vienna, Austria: An Expat's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Italy and Slovenia are to the south of Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, and Slovenia and Italy to the south. Italy and Slovenia are to the south of Austria.
Italy is an independent European state in Southern Europe with a population of over 61 million people. The Austria-Italy boundary is about 251 miles long and has numerous border passes. One of these is Birnlucke, which is situated between the Zillertal Alp and Venediger Group mountain ranges. Birnlucke forms the boundary between the valleys of Ahrntal and Krimmler Achental in Italy, and Salzburg in Austria. Other mountain passes between Italy and Austria include the Brenner Pass, Timmelsjoch, Staller Saddle, Reschen Pass, Plocken pass, and Hochjoch.
South Tyrol, which had been part of Austria for centuries, was ceded to Italy after the First World War under the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919). The years between the two World Wars were characterised by the oppression of the German-speaking population, who were deprived of their rights under the Fascist regime. After the Second World War, Austria negotiated directly with Italy within the framework of the Paris Peace Conference to achieve the highest possible degree of autonomy for South Tyrol. These negotiations resulted in the Paris Agreement of 1946, which forms part of the peace treaty with Italy.
Slovenia is a parliamentary state with over two million residents and occupies an area of about 7,827 square miles. The official language of Slovenia is Slovene. The Slovenia-Austria boundary is about 185 miles long and is dominated by the Pohorje massif, Karawank chain, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and the Julian Alps. The busiest crossing is the Sentilj-Spielfeld checkpoint, which has facilities for processing and screening migrants.
Austria's Racism: A Country's Reputation in Question
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Austria is a landlocked country
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with 40% of the country covered by forests, the majority of which are in Alpine regions. Less than one-fifth of the country is arable and suitable for conventional agriculture, and this percentage increases in the east as the country becomes less alpine. More than one-fifth of Austria is pasture and meadow located at varying altitudes, almost half of which consists of high Alpine pastures. Historically, these high Alpine pastures have been used during the summer for grazing dairy cattle, making space available at lower altitudes for cultivating and harvesting fodder for winter.
Austria's neighbours include Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. The country's central location has contributed to its cultural diversity, and its capital, Vienna, is very well connected to other major cities in Europe and beyond. Austria's geographic position has also contributed to its prominence, as it lies at the centre of European traffic between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes.
Austria has a population of over 8.8 million people, and its nine provinces cover an area of roughly 32,000 square miles. The country has high standards of living and is a member of several international organisations, including the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Travel Clearance: Do I Need a Form for Austria?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Austria has multiple neighbouring countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
The Austria-Switzerland boundary is 158 km or 98 miles long.
Germany has the longest border with Austria, at 801 km or 497 miles long.
Liechtenstein has the shortest border with Austria, at 34 km or 21 miles long.
